Kenneth Gergen’s article The Dissolution of Self focuses on the individual within a social group. Gergen’s argument in the article is that our view of the individual in terms of identity/individualism is actually a result of the social saturation, interpreted as- people are a product of their environment. The certain groups that we have become acclimated to over time are what shape our own personal identity by different values and characteristics that we might have. Gergen argues that because of this process of socialization, we in fact do not have an actual self but rather a personality that reflects our experiences in society. Technology has been contributing to this phenomenon, also known as multiphrenia by expanding our horizons to different primary groups and spheres of influence, and as technology progresses, we will be further and further away from having an actual self.
emailed
Reviews the book "The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life," by Kenneth J. Gergen.
References
Wexler, P. (1992, May). The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life (Book). American Journal of Sociology, 97(6), 1751-1752. Retrieved July 28, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.
emailed
Reviews the book "The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life," by Kenneth J. Gergen.
References
Wexler, P. (1992, May). The Saturated Self: Dilemmas of Identity in Contemporary Life (Book). American Journal of Sociology, 97(6), 1751-1752. Retrieved July 28, 2009, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.